Behavioral Health Technician

View Behavioral Health; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

401(k) plan

Team-oriented environment

Job summary

View Behavioral Health in Long Beach is seeking a compassionate LPS Designated Behavioral Health Technician to support patients under involuntary holds. You will work under supervision to maintain a safe, therapeutic environment, perform crisis de-escalation, and support nursing and clinical teams.

Responsibilities include safety checks, observation, patient care, and assisting with admissions, intake, and discharge tasks.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• CNA, EMT, or Food Handler's Card is a major plus.
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in psychology, behavioral health, or related field preferred.
• Prior caregiving and patient support experience required.
• 1–2 years in behavioral health, healthcare, or hospital setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a secure, therapeutic environment and perform crisis de-escalation.
• Conduct and document safety checks and constant patient observation.
• Identify escalating behaviors and apply approved de-escalation techniques.
• Assist patients with ADLs, hygiene, and meals while ensuring safety.
• Record vital signs and chart patient behavior and status.

Skills

CNA

EMT

First Aid/CPR

BLS

HIPAA knowledge

Crisis de-escalation training

EHR systems

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate or Bachelor’s in psychology/behavioral health

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

We are proud to serve as a trusted resource for our community, providing high-quality mental health care with compassion and integrity. Our Long Beach facility currently operates as a 79-bed adult voluntary acute inpatient program, offering private rooms and individualized treatment delivered by a multidisciplinary team. We are dedicated to best practices and person-centered care, supporting each patient's journey toward stability and recovery. To promote continuity of care beyond inpatient treatment, we also offer Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs tailored to meet each individual's clinical needs. We are also actively expanding our services across Southern California, with our new San Bernardino campus expected to open in early 2026.

Schedule: Full Time 12-hour shifts

• AM:7:00 AM – 7:30 PM
• NOC:7:00 PM – 7:30 AM

Position Summary

We are seeking a compassionate, vigilant, and qualified LPS Designated Behavioral Health Technicians to join our psychiatric care team. In this role, you will provide direct, frontline care and monitoring for patients admitted under involuntary psychiatric holds (Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, e.g., 5150, 5250). Working under the supervision of the Behavioral Health Manager and in collaboration with the nursing and clinical teams, you will maintain a secure, therapeutic environment, execute crisis de-escalation, and assist individuals experiencing acute psychiatric crises.

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrate understandingand becompliant with Patients' Rights, LPS Statutes, and Seclusion and Restraint Protocols.
• Conduct and document strict, timely safety checks (e.g., Q15 rounds). Maintain constant visual observation of patients on suicide or high-risk watch.
• Actively identify escalating behaviors. Utilize approved crisis prevention and de-escalation techniques to safely manage aggressive or self-harming behavior.
• Provide direct care and support to patients, promoting independence in hygiene, grooming, and other activities of daily living (ADLs)
• Assist in the daily preparation, portioning, and serving of patient meals and snacks. Ensure adherence to prescribed dietary restrictions, allergies, and nutrition guidelines while maintaining a safe environment around utensils.
• Obtain and record vital signs (e.g., blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration) in accordance with clinical protocols
• Observe and accurately chart patient behavior, moods, nutritional intake, and vital signs in accordance with institutional policy and state regulations.
• Assist the nursing staff with intake processing, patient searches for contraband, inventorying personal belongings, and final discharge routing

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Food Handler's Card is a major plus.
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in psychology, behavioral health, or a related human services field is highly preferred
• Prior experience in caregiving and patient support roles
• Minimum of 1-2 years of experience in a behavioral health, healthcare, or hospital setting
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm, composed, and effective in high-stress or crisis situations
• Strong trauma-informed care foundation, excellent verbal de-escalation skills, strict boundary-setting ability (especially regarding sharp kitchen utensils), emotional resilience, and deep knowledge of California patient rights guidelines.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills across disciplines and departments
• Proficiency in the use of computers and standard keyboard functions for data entry and electronic documentation
• Ability to read, write, and communicate fluently in English
• Ability to safely perform containment, escort, and physical intervention procedures with patients exhibiting assaultive or aggressive behavior, in accordance with facility protocols and training
• Prior experience using Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems for documentation and coordination of care
• Current CPR, BLS, and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain within 90 days of employment
• Crisis prevention/intervention training (e.g., HWC, CPI, PMAB) or de-escalation certification
• Knowledge of HIPAA, Title 22, and other applicable regulatory standards
• $2.00/hour shift differential for eligible NOC (overnight) shifts
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance for qualifying employees
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Supportive, team-oriented work environment
• Opportunities for professional growth, training, and advancement within the organization

Physical & Mental Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, cook, and move about a locked unit for extended periods.Physical stamina to assist in patient containment or emergency restraints during acute behavioral crises.
• Independent body mobility to frequently stand, walk long distance corridors, descend and the ability to bend, stoop and sit for a prolonged time.
• May require significant strength and alertness in a crisis to apply non-violent crisis intervention to containment techniques, or to provide CPR.
• Ability to safely assist with the physical management, lifting, or repositioning of adult patients, including those who may be physically resistive or assaultive, potentially weighing 100 pounds or more, in accordance with facility safety protocols and training.

Depending on assignment of position may be required to work in a locked unit with juveniles, formerly incarcerated, and individuals assigned to guardianship who have complex social, and psycho-social needs; may be assigned to evening or night shift, assigned to work weekends, and to work holidays as needed as Ocean View is a 24-hour, 7 day a week facility and coverage is essential; environment can be noisy and sporadically chaotic, and may be exposed to hostile patients and profanity.

Special Conditions

• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of Live Scan fingerprinting, background check clearance, and verification of required licenses, certifications, and education
• Satisfactory completion of professional reference checks
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; Ocean View does not provide visa sponsorship for certain roles unless otherwise specified
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or variable shifts as needed, based on operational or patient care needs.